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dgb's avatar

Good article, the "four stages of reality" is definitely is especially interesting and it's definitely true that modern propaganda doesn't even have to have much relation to reality. You can see this also with the "mainstream alternative media": Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, Shapiro, etc. If they decide that mark Zuckerberg is now a conservative hero, despite his actions not matching this in the slightest, then that must be the case. Or that deep state contractor and globalist Elon musk is now a right wing standard-bearer. And now people are already forgetting about the H1B fiasco now that Musk has distracted them by pretending to give a shit about grooming gangs. No one remembers anything!

The new years terror attack psyops have also faded out of the public mind now that the media has moved onto the next big thing, and even though it seems like many people were extremely skeptical of both attacks it didn't matter in the end and hardly anybody will remember that these things even happened in a couple months anyway. Such are the consequences of the media constantly bombarding people with new headlines to be outraged and scared of everyday.

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James's avatar

This article reveals how the interplay between information, perception, and power has reached a point where distinguishing reality from simulation is almost impossible.

The media-government complex described here, and the hyperreality it produces, thrives on passivity. This turns the citizenry into spectators, not participants, making it all too easy to disengage and accept a curated version of events. By the same token, reclaiming agency demands engagement. It calls for scepticism, critical thinking, and a commitment to staying curious, asking questions, and digging deeper.

The idea of a grounding mechanism is so important here. In a world where it feels like everything is designed to confuse or mislead us, we need tools to make sense of it all. Recursive prediction, as mentioned, is one approach: test assumptions, refine perspectives, and stay flexible enough to adapt as the picture evolves. At the end of the day, it's not about having all the answers—it’s about staying engaged and not letting the simulation win.

What I really like about this article is that it reminds us that the system’s strength is also its weakness. Hyperreality only works if we go along with it. The more people question and resist, the weaker it becomes. We need to begin to think of as sovereign individuals rather than passive consumers of media slop.

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